Set against a verdant backdrop, Punta Gorda, Belize's southernmost town, is a place to enjoy sooner rather than later. With multiple daily flights and buses, and with the completion of paving of the Southern Highway—which is now the best highway in Belize—tourism has slowly increased, and the town serves as a good base for exploring Mayan villages and remote southern cayes.
At present, Punta Gorda, or PG, is a farming community composed of an unusual blend of Q'eqchi' Maya, Garifuna, Creoles, East Indian, Chinese and several other national and ethnic groups. Found 170 mi/268 km by road south of Belize City, the town doesn't offer much in the way of traditional travel attractions, but a growing number of luxury ecolodges make this a more and more tempting area to visit. Serious anglers will want to stay longer, as this area has one of the world's best permit fisheries. Divers will love having the only boat in the water as they explore the Sapodilla Cayes.
Punta Gorda has an interesting market (the best days are Wednesday and Saturday) that's frequented by people living in the hinterlands (including missionaries). They go to town to buy and sell fruits, vegetables, baskets, cacao and chickens. It's quite a festive event. You can also buy fresh fish and lobster right off the fishing boats if you're willing to elbow your way through the crowd at the pier.
Punta Gorda is the departure point for daily water taxis that cross the Gulf of Honduras to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.
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